Luis Robert trade thread: La Pantera stays.

[Chicago White Sox]

Pass on Acuna

[SoCalChiSox]

28 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

 

Give me Nori and Rincones.

[DirtySox]

9 minutes ago, SoCalChiSox said:

Give me Nori and Rincones.

Yea. Give me prospects is where I firmly stand.

I'll wait until an actual trade occurs before I get riled up about anything. But I'm also resigned to a meh return considering his value isn't anywhere near what it once was.

[SoCalChiSox]

This is what I don't understand about Acuna.....if they want an immediate CF replacement for Robert, why take an IFer and hope and pray his good defensive tools translate to the OF when even if it does you have no bat at all there. Just go with Gilbert instead who has alot more experience at the position and is OK there with a much better bat. 

Unless NYM is willing to give up Acuna PLUS a Top 10 prospect (Clifford?) which I doubt. 

[WhiteSox2023]

Here’s the MLB Trade Rumors article and take…

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/07/mets-white-sox-have-reportedly-discussed-luisangel-acuna-in-luis-robert-talks.html

[WhiteSox2023]

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

I would not be surprised if the Sox tried to make him a full-time CF.  Either way, BAD.  You can have great tools but you still have to be able to hit.  How did this guy make the MLB’s top 100 list two years in a row (#71 in 2023, #93 in 2024)?

Please be wrong…

 

[SoCalChiSox]

18 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Please be wrong…

 

There has to be something else meaningful in there besides him. There has to be. You are trading for something purely theoretical. He's played all of 1 game there per FG. CF involves more than just speed, there's reads and jumps. There simply isn't enough film there to assess the viability of it. 

He has to be the second piece. 

Edited July 30 by SoCalChiSox

[WhiteSox2023]

4 hours ago, SoCalChiSox said:

There has to be something else meaningful in there besides him. There has to be. You are trading for something purely theoretical. He's played all of 1 game There per FG. CF involves more than just speed, there's reads and jumps. There simply isn't enough film there to assess the viability of it. 

He has to be the second piece. 

39 games in CF in the minors.

2 games in CF in the majors (both this year).

I would definitely hope Getz aims higher than Acuna, but I really wouldn’t be surprised to see him do something like this.  Samuel Zavala won’t even be on the Sox top 30 prospect listing after this season and is looking like a part of another poor Getz trade return.  What other CF prospects do they have?

Edited July 30 by WhiteSox2023

[fathom]

16 minutes ago, SoCalChiSox said:

There has to be something else meaningful in there besides him. There has to be. You are trading for something purely theoretical. He's played all of 1 game there per FG. CF involves more than just speed, there's reads and jumps. There simply isn't enough film there to assess the viability of it. 

He has to be the second piece. 

I also hate the idea of a theoretical lineup with at least two guys with well below average slugging.  Puts a ton of pressure on the other positions.

[DirtySox]

17 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

What other CF prospects do they have?

Morabito and Gilbert.

Sox were into Gilbert supposedly at draft time. He's had bouts with injuries since being drafted.

Quote

14. Drew Gilbert - OF

Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 195 | B-T: L-L

Age: 24

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Gilbert’s first full season with the Mets was about the last thing he or the organization wanted. He strained his right hamstring in his seventh game for Triple-A Syracuse and did not return to the level until July 23. While his final line at Triple-A underwhelms, he found his power stroke late in the campaign and posted an .800 OPS with nine home runs, 14 walks and 23 strikeouts in his final 30 games. The Mets acquired Gilbert and Ryan Clifford at the 2023 trade deadline when they dealt Justin Verlander and $35.5 million to the Astros.

Scouting Report: Gilbert’s best tool might be his well-roundedness. At the plate, he makes steady contact, stays within his strike zone and hits with enough impact to be interesting. He is short but solidly built, and while he will never be a slugger, he can launch the ball to right field when he attacks a pitch out front. When he initially returned from the injured list, Gilbert had timing issues and was pulling off the ball. Because he has above-average barrel accuracy and a clean swing path, he’s at his best when focused on the middle of the field. He is an above-average runner who can leg out extra-base hits and chip in stolen bases. He is most adept in center field but was somewhat tentative out there in 2024 because of his hamstring injury. At full strength, he has above-average potential in center, but his strong throwing arm also makes him an asset in right field. Playing all three outfield spots will create paths to a big league callup, and his versatility could help keep him in the lineup.

The Future: Gilbert lacks a carrying tool aside from his arm, but being average or solidly above in multiple areas has a lot of value on a big league roster. Upping the ante defensively could be a separator because the Mets lack a true center fielder. Gilbert played in the Arizona Fall League in the offseason.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60.

Quote

12. Nick Morabito - OF

Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 185 | B-T: R-R

Age: 22

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Morabito played high school ball in cold-weather Washington, D.C., and wasn’t a showcase regular. He also was old for his class as a 19-year-old on draft day 2022. The Mets selected him with the second-round compensatory pick they gained when free agent Noah Syndergaard signed with the Angels. Morabito has made remarkable progress in pro ball, despite starting slowly. He remained in extended spring training to begin 2023 before joining the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in June. In 2024, Morabito quickly hit his way out of Low-A and spent the better part of four months at High-A Brooklyn. All told, he led Mets minor leaguers with a .312 average and 59 stolen bases, while his 18.6% strikeout rate was one of the system’s lowest.

Scouting Report: Speed is the name of Morabito’s game. Now, his rapid progress as a hitter and defender in pro ball have captured attention. As he has climbed from Rookie ball to High-A, Morabito has slashed his in-zone miss rate from 16.5% in 2023 to 11% in 2024, which was a top 30 mark at the 450 plate appearance threshold. Emphasizing a contact-based, all-fields approach and letting the ball travel deep has made Morabito a dangerous hitter for average, and one who tends to stay within his strike zone and take his walks. He has the bat speed to occasionally turn on pitches but has just six pro home runs in two-plus seasons. He is solidly built and is working to keep his lower half in hitting position as he finishes his swing, so more power could be in the cards one day. More of a plus runner out of the box, Morabito has the burst and closing speed of a future plus center fielder once he hones his instincts. His below-average arm limits him to left or center field.

The Future: Morabito faces a stern test at Double-A in 2025, but he has the potential for carrying tools in his speed and defense in center field with a chance to hit. He’s a good bet to become at least a fourth outfielder.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 70 | Field: 60 | Arm: 45.

 

Edited July 30 by DirtySox

[WhiteSox2023]

10 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Morabito and Gilbert.

Sox were into Gilbert supposedly at draft time. He's had bouts with injuries since being drafted.

 

Oh, sorry, I meant the Sox.  Assuming the Sox interest is in Acuna, I could see them converting him to CF.

[SoCalChiSox]

15 minutes ago, fathom said:

I also hate the idea of a theoretical lineup with at least two guys with well below average slugging.  Puts a ton of pressure on the other positions.

Traditionally, the CF position doesn't lend itself to much slugging anyway, outside of superstars at the position, but often CFs can offer value on the basepaths or with high OBP or maybe a good contact. Here, this guy can't hit for avg and can't get on base either. He also has only 12 SBs in 77 games. The offensive profile is a total black hole. 

Just pick Clifford or Gilbert instead if you only get one real piece. If it's Clifford, you can sign any glove only CF in FA on a cheap 1-2 year deal, rather than trading Robert for it and at least those options aren't theoretical CFs, they are real ones.

 

[DirtySox]

I don't hate Morabito. I like AJ Ewing too. He fits the plate discipline mold that the Sox have been drafting towards lately.  Probably sticks in CF too.

The Mets have interesting prospects.

Quote

7. A.J. Ewing - OF

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 160 | B-T: L-R

Age: 20

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: The Mets added a compensatory draft pick after the fourth round in 2023 when free agent Jacob deGrom signed with the Rangers. They used the pick to draft Ohio high school shortstop Ewing, who signed for an above-slot $675,000. He began his first full season in 2024 in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, but after producing a .993 OPS in 19 games he was promoted to Low-A St. Lucie on June 4. Ewing held his own in the Florida State League with a 14.7% walk rate that ranked second among league teenagers.

Scouting Report: Ewing played shortstop in high school but focused on center field and second base in 2024. He is a solidly built 5-foot-11 lefthanded hitter with solid all-around tools and some explosiveness in his actions. Ewing’s standout batting attribute is strike-zone judgment. His 19% chase rate is well above-average for a teenager. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 102 mph is above-average for his age, and he managed to hit 10 home runs in 90 games in two stifling Florida hitting environments. His main development focus is staying more direct to the ball. Ewing is a plus runner who can find an extra gear when he smells a hit. His speed serves him well as he gains experience in center field, where he has average potential. Ewing still looks at home on the dirt and should retain second base in his profile.

The Future: Along with teenage teammates Jesus Baez, Boston Baro, Ronald Hernandez and Colin Houck, Ewing helped St. Lucie have the youngest hitting group in the Florida State League in 2024. All should see time at High-A Brooklyn during the 2025 season.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50.

 

Edited July 30 by DirtySox

[fathom]

Everything about Morabito looks good except he just has no power.  But yes, the Mets have way better offensive prospects that could be available than the Phillies.

[SoCalChiSox]

12 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

I don't hate Morabito. I like AJ Ewing too. He fits the plate discipline mold that the Sox have been drafting towards lately.  Probably sticks in CF too.

The Mets have interesting prospects.

 

Ewing is having a great year. 

The problem is we're gonna only get one of these guys so we will need to make a difficult choice. I can see why they want 2 guys. 

[WhiteSox2023]

3 hours ago, fathom said:

Everything about Morabito looks good except he just has no power.  But yes, the Mets have way better offensive prospects that could be available than the Phillies.

Yep.  The problem with the Phillies is that the prospect we would really want from them (Crawford) is likely too big of an ask for Robert + Wilson/Altavilla, even if we eat most of Robert’s salary.

The scary thing about this Acuna rumor is that the Mets have better options for the Sox that aren’t rated too highly to be unrealistic targets in Clifford, Ewing, and Gilbert.  This just feels like the Mets are trying to push Acuna on the Sox because they know he’s no damn good and are trying to deal him for what they need while he still has value.

Edited July 30 by WhiteSox2023

[greg775]

55 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

... even if we eat most of Robert’s salary.

I thought Jerry abhors eating salary and won't do it often if ever.

[caulfield12]

"As for the return, the Phillies have the appropriate prospect capital to trade from, touting six of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects. But there might even be a world where the Phillies can hold onto their upper-echelon of young talent while still landing Robert. In this case, a package of Chace and the 19-year-old Burkholder provide the White Sox with two players better suited for their future plans than Robert."

mlb.com

For #8 and #11 Phillies' prospects

Haven't seen these names rumors yet

[WhiteSox2023]

3 hours ago, greg775 said:

I thought Jerry abhors eating salary and won't do it often if ever.

Yes, I don’t think it will happen — eating Robert’s entire remaining salary.  Just hypothesizing.

Edited July 30 by WhiteSox2023

[WhiteSox2023]

16 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

"As for the return, the Phillies have the appropriate prospect capital to trade from, touting six of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects. But there might even be a world where the Phillies can hold onto their upper-echelon of young talent while still landing Robert. In this case, a package of Chace and the 19-year-old Burkholder provide the White Sox with two players better suited for their future plans than Robert."

mlb.com

For #8 and #11 Phillies' prospects

Haven't seen these names rumors yet

I don’t know anything about either guy, but it looks like Chace walks the world and would be the last thing we need.  Getz has acquired enough pitchers like that already, so unless the Sox think they can fix his control with a tweak rather easily…

Edited July 30 by WhiteSox2023

[Chimpton]

10 hours ago, Ozzie for Manager said:

If he plays like he has been playing the rest of the year you can trade in the offseason 

Teams would still look at his injury record and slump in 2024 and first half this season and probably offer less than Getz wants.

[Baron]

I mean I think it would be beneficial to sit Houser and Luis until they are traded at this point right? 

Edited July 30 by Baron

[WhiteSox2023]

38 minutes ago, Baron said:

I mean I think it would be beneficial to sit Houser and Luis until they are traded at this point right? 

Of course.  Is one game or one start really going to change the minds of teams interested in Robert and Houser at this point, to be worth more than the risk of them getting injured?   No way.

Will be interesting to see if Hauser gets scratched and Robert is out of the lineup.  I wouldn’t be surprised.

Edited July 30 by WhiteSox2023

[Bob Sacamano]

38 minutes ago, Baron said:

I mean I think it would be beneficial to sit Houser and Luis until they are traded at this point right? 

At this point, yeah one game isn't going to make a difference on Robert's value and a team would rather trade for an extra start of Houser (skip him today and he's available for a team tomorrow if traded today).

[Chicago White Sox]

41 minutes ago, Baron said:

I mean I think it would be beneficial to sit Houser and Luis until they are traded at this point right? 

I don’t think you sit Houser as he just isn’t the type of player that warrants that treatment.  Robert I could see the argument for, but even then, feels like you want him out there and showing he is healthy after this little groan scare.